Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Sept. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to order at 7:00 p.m. by City Clerk Jan Hall in Mayor Dickey’s absence, and she requested a motion to approve the mayoral appointment of Alderman Scott Davis as Mayor Pro-Tem. Alderman Wyant made motion to approve Alderman Davis serve as Mayor Pro-Tem, 2nd by Alderman Miller, all in favor.

Roll Call:

Ward #1 Susie Tongate: P    Erick Tjarks: P

Ward #2 Randy Wyant: P     Ray Hankes: P

Ward #3 Scott Davis: P         Vacancy: _________

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: A       Laura Miller: P

Others present: Water Supt. Tyler Martin, Admin. Scott Shull, Treasurer Vickie Lorenzen, Officer Moore, Mike Friend – Farnsworth Group, Matt Ertel & Sam Horsch- Horsch Radish Restaurant, Mark & Carole Lefkowitz – Mark’s on First, Tracy Epps, Chairman of CDAP Committee, City Attorney Marc Miller, and Jean Noellsch – Ford County Chronicle.

Alderman Tjarks led pledge.

Approval of Minutes - Alderman Hankes made a motion approve minutes of September 12, 2022 as submitted –2nd to the Motion by Alderman Wyant, Motion carried 6-0.

Visitor Comments:

Mark Lefkowitz requested closure of 1st Street at Church and the Subway entrance, on Saturday October 1st from 5 p.m. to midnight during the fundraiser for Millie – Also requested the same closure on Saturday October 15th from 5 p.m. to closing at 1:00 a.m. for the Rotary fundraiser. Both events will have bands playing outdoors and extra seating. All questions answered, Atty. Marc Miller recommended that a vote is not required, but council did give their approval to the requests. Supt. Martin said that the city crew will leave barricades for use by restaurant staff, so that city workers are not called out late on Saturdays. Lefkowitz assured council he will see that the barricades are placed and removed and any trash will be picked up.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Vickie Lorenzen read the August report, no questions from council. Administrative Report: Scott Shull – no report at this time.

Committee Reports:

Alderman Tongate – holding a Parks/Buildings Committee meeting at noon this Wednesday September 28th in city council chambers for the purpose of discussing the need to hire a maintenance service for the city hall, police department and park restrooms.

Old Business: Consideration to Purchase a Valve Stop Tool with accessories. Supt. Martin and Alderman Wyant agreed to suggest this item be removed from the Agenda due to cost of about $100,000. Instead, city crew will hire a contractor to perform this part of the process in replacing / repairing water lines. Will be a savings to the City financially and labor. City will do the preparation work and hire the contractor for the valve work. Alderman Wyant expressed the need for the city to create a plan of replacing water lines each year to eliminate the old lines that repeatedly break.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Tongate to pay 2 checks from TIF3 in the amount of $2,884.00,2nd by Alderman Tjarks, motion carried 4 in favor, and Aldermen Davis & Miller abstained due to owning property in TIF 3.

Motion made by Alderman Hankes to pay 4 checks from TIF2 in the amount of $11,681.00,2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 6/0.

Motion made by Alderman Hankes to pay General fund bills in the amount of $113,991.64; 2nd by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 6/0.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consideration of CDAP Loan to A Renee, Alicia & Jerry Skinner, in the amount of $50,000 for 10-year fixed rate, 20-year amortization @ 2% interested as recommended by Chairman Tracy Epps, CDAP Committee. Motion to approve the recommendation of the CDAP Committee and forward the paperwork to city attorney was made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried: 6/0.

B. . Consideration of CDAP Loan to Ron Woolums / Bradbury Auto Sales & Service, in the amount of $25,000 for 5 years @ 2% interested as recommended by Chairman Tracy Epps, CDAP Committee Motion to approve the recommendation of the CDAP Committee and forward the paperwork to city attorney was made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, motion carried 6/0. The money will be used toward the repaving of their drive and lot.

C. . Consideration of CDAP Loan to Horsch Radish LLC, Sam Horsch, in the amount of $50,000 for 10-year fixed rate, 20-year amortization @ 2% interested as recommended by Chairman Tracy Epps, CDAP Committee Motion to approve the recommendation of the CDAP Committee and forward the paperwork to city attorney was made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion carried: 6/0. Owner Sam Horsch explained to council they have discovered a major leak in the roof and they prefer to replace rather than make continual repairs.

D. Motion to Consider Amending the City Water Rates to remove the tiered plan over the next 3 cycles – Ordinance # 2022-O-04. The purpose of this amendment is to gradually end the current tiered usage billing which lowers the rate upon greater consumption. Alderman Wyant explained that this is long overdue in order to increase income to keep up with maintenance and replacements at the Water Plant. Motion made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 6/0.

E. Consideration of bids for generators for wells. Supt. Martin explained to council that the wells are must be covered by back-up generators. Bodine Electric submitted a bid for generators at 4 wells in the total amount of $141,570.00. The generators will be gas and propane fueled. There will be some added expense to Nicor for running the gas lines. These funds are to be spent from the American Relief Act money we received from the federal government. This is an expense that is approved by the Act. Motion to approve purchase of generators from Bodine Electric, not to exceed $150,000.00 from relief funds, made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, motion approved 6-0.

F. Consideration to purchase a utility truck for the water department. Supt. Martin reported to council that the water plant needs a service truck, the van in use is a 2002. The truck bid if for a 2022 GMC Savana Commercial Cutaway Van. The cost is $73,545.00 (see bid sheet attached) and money will come from: TIF 2, $36,037.00; Water Fund, $25,000, and Balance $12,508.00 from Relief funds. The truck can be delivered as early as this coming Thursday, and the warning lights and lettering will be done as soon as practical. Motion to approve this purchase as stated made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, motion carried 6/0.

G. Consideration of a Resolution to approve new pool grant.2022-R-6. Attorney Marc Miller explained the Resolution is needed by Fehr-Graham for applying for a state (OSLAD) grant for a grant of $500,000 that would be put toward our new pool. Several aldermen asked if anyone has any information about this grant application and cost. Clerk Hall, a member of the ‘new pool committee’ explained that she learned of the grant application through an email from the engineer requesting information needed on the application. Hall went on to say that she had spoken with both the Mayor and the engineer about discussing this in a committee meeting while reviewing final design plans and the bid process and timetable. Engineer informed the Mayor there are funds unspent in the design budget that can be used towards the application fees and engineering costs for applying, but there is a deadline of September 30th. No exact cost was provided, Mayor had given his approval to the engineer and Hall and admin staff provided the requested information. Motion to pass the Resolution 2022-R-06 was made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd by Alderman Miller, motion passed 5/1, Alderman Wyant cast the no vote.

Motion to Adjourn made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd by Alderman Davis, all in favor, meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

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